Roscoe Burnems, Poet Laureate for the City of Richmond
This week, the City of Richmond selected its first poet laureate, Douglas Powell, known in the community by his stage name, Roscoe Burnems. Burnems is a poet, published author, spoken-word artist, comedian and teacher. Burnems is also a host for
The Art Scene, a co-production of VPM and 19Red, that aired on VPM in Fall, 2019 and Spring, 2020.
Burnems’ main duties will be to promote poetry throughout Richmond and to connect the medium to communities less familiar with it. Evidence of an interest in and capacity for community engagement was part of the poet laureate selection criteria and a top priority of the mayor’s.